Water filtration system

ABSTRACT

A filtration system for an aquarium is provided. The filtration system includes a gate chamber with a gate conduit positioned therein that transports unprocessed water from the aquarium. The gate chamber includes filtering media. The filtration system also includes a siphon chamber that is fluidly coupled to the gate chamber. There is a siphon conduit having a siphon conduit inlet at a first elevation within the siphon chamber, a siphon conduit outlet at a second elevation below the first elevation, and a crest at a third elevation above the first and second elevations. The siphon conduit empties into a catch basin, where the processed water is transported back to the aquarium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/820,625 filed Jun. 20, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,604,734, the entirecontents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to aquarium filtration devices.More particularly, the present invention relates to combinationbiological, mechanical and chemical filtration systems that simulatenatural tidal conditions.

2. Related Art

Keeping fish and other marine life in a home aquarium is a popular hobbywith varying levels of complexity and sophistication. At the simplestlevel, there are freshwater aquaria with fish such as guppies, goldfish,and the like, though other less common species such as angelfish andrainbowfish may also be kept. In addition to fish, such freshwateraquaria may also include aquatic plants for environmental balance andaesthetic purposes. The aquatic plants typically foster growth ofbeneficial bacteria and other microorganisms that facilitate aquariumhealth. At the more complex levels, exotic and colorful saltwater fishmay be kept, along with appropriate aquatic plants. The appearance andlongevity of such a saltwater aquarium may be enhanced by the additionof living rock, that is, structures composed of calcium limestone anddecomposing coral skeleton that foster the growth of algae, worms, andother small marine organisms. Furthermore, a reef ecosystem may beimplemented by the addition of living coral.

The environment within the aquarium would ideally have an ecologicalbalance identical to that of the natural habitat of the life formstherein, but sustained and consistent balance is practically impossibledue to the limited size thereof. The limited volume of water in typicalhobbyist aquaria results in a reduction of its capacity to absorbsystemic shocks such as death or the addition of a fish or plant, andfurther leads to a deterioration of long-term ecological stability.Accordingly, maintenance of a proper chemical and biological balancerepresents a significant challenge in keeping an aquarium. Moreparticularly, proper nutrient cycles must be maintained, including theoxygen cycle, the nitrogen cycle, the sulfur cycle, and so forth.Sufficient levels of oxygen must be present in the aquarium water forrespiration, and the resultant carbon dioxide must be expelled. Further,waste products expelled by fish and aquatic plants resulting fromconsumed food and other nutrients must be removed. Unconsumed nutrientsand food particles may also remain in the water that may have an adverseaffect on the ecology of the aquarium, and so such compounds likewisemust be removed. Secondary waste products may also be generated bybacteria that ingest the primary waste from the fish. The aforementionedimpurities may be harmful, and even lethal to the fish and otherorganisms in the aquarium at high concentrations.

Of particular concern with respect to aquarium maintenance is thenitrogen cycle, which relates to the breakdown process of nitrogenwaste. In conjunction with proper feeding, appropriate maintenance ofthe nitrogen cycle is deemed sufficient for most aquaria because theother nutrient cycles are essentially maintained in equilibrium so longas the nitrogen cycle is at equilibrium. As understood, ammonia ornitrogenous waste is produced by fish directly or via feces, as well asby plants, animal matter, and uneaten food that is decomposing. In anatural environment, ammonia is neutralized by a two-step process knownas nitrification. A first type of beneficial bacteria known asnitrifiers, or Nitrosomonas, metabolizes the ammonia from the water andproduces nitrite. Nitrite is also understood to be toxic to fish in highconcentrations, though not as toxic as ammonia. A second type ofbeneficial bacteria, the Nitrospira, converts the nitrite to nitrate,which is harmless to the fish. In addition to the bacteria, aquaticplants may also convert ammonia to nitrate. Both of these types ofbacteria are aerobic, and thus depend upon a supply of oxygen.

Considering the limited ecology of a typical home aquarium, relying uponthe above-described biological processes to occur naturally withouthuman intervention is largely inadequate. In this regard, wide varietiesof biological filtration systems have been conceived and are known inthe art. Generally, such filtration systems foster the growth of theaforementioned bacteria by providing biomedia with a large surface areaupon which the bacteria may grow. Typical biological filters are of thewet/dry type, where water from the aquarium is pumped and trickled overthe biomedia. This oxygenates the water, thereby providing sufficientoxygen for the aerobic bacteria to nitrify the ammonia present in thewater.

Before the water from the aquarium contacts the biomedia, it may undergomechanical filtration to remove large debris and contaminants. This isdone because the biological filter must be clear of large debris thatwould impede the flow of water and reduce oxygenation efficiency. Themost common type of mechanical filter utilizes gravel and/or syntheticfibers that trap solid waste products.

In addition to the foregoing mechanical filtering for debris, the waterfrom the aquarium may undergo a chemical filtration process. Suchchemical filters remove or deactivate organic substances before breakingdown into nitrogen waste, thus decreasing the filtration load upon thebiological filter. Activated carbon and ion-exchange resin filters maybe utilized to this end. Alternatively, yet increasingly, devices knownas protein skimmers, or foam fractionators are used. A conventionalprotein skimmer includes a column of water with fine bubbles passedtherethrough. Protein and other compounds bind to the air in thebubbles, and are carried to the top of the column. The resulting foam iscollected, allowed to condense, and subsequently removed.

Conventional aquaria utilize one or more of the above-describedmechanical, chemical, and biological filtration systems, either alone orin combination, depending on the sensitivity of the fish and marine lifebeing kept. Existing systems, however, are configured to filter water ata consistent rate, and cannot accurately simulate ecological conditionsin tidal pools. In addition to the Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira bacteria,there are other types of bacteria that facilitate aquarium health. Sometypes have higher effectiveness when mostly submerged, while others havehigher effectiveness when in contact with the air. A natural tidal poolenvironment is capable of accommodating all such bacteria, yetconventional filtration systems are unable to do so, leading toinefficient or unsatisfactory bacteria cultivation.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an aquarium filtrationsystem including biological and chemical filtration components thatsimulate natural tidal conditions to accommodate a wide range of marinelife. There is also a need in the art for a cyclical aquarium filtrationsystem with a minimal number of moving parts for maintenance andcleaning ease.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provideda filtration system for an aquarium. The aquarium may have an aquariuminlet for processed water, and an aquarium outlet for unprocessed water.The filtration system may include a gate chamber, with a gate conduitpositioned therein and being in fluid communication with the aquariumoutlet. The gate chamber may include filtration media. The gate conduitmay define a gate conduit outlet and a gate conduit inlet. Additionally,the filtration system may include a siphon chamber that is fluidlycoupled to the gate chamber. There may be a siphon conduit having asiphon conduit inlet at a first elevation within the siphon chamber. Thesiphon conduit may have a siphon conduit outlet at a second elevationbelow the first elevation, as well as a crest at a third elevation abovethe first elevation and the second elevation. The filtration system mayfurther include a catch basin that is in fluid communication with thesiphon conduit for collecting the processed water from the siphonchamber for recirculation back to the aquarium. In one aspect of thepresent invention, the water from aquarium collects within the gatechamber upon conveyance thereto via the gate conduit. In another aspect,the water in the siphon chamber is discharged into the catch basin uponthe water level in the siphon chamber surpassing the third elevation.Further, the water in the siphon chamber stops discharging into thecatch basin upon the water level in the siphon chamber reaching a levellower than the first elevation.

The cyclical discharge/recharge cycle is contemplated to simulate thenatural tidal conditions founds on coastal areas, with a various strataof bacteria being cultivatable in the gate chamber. The presentinvention will be best understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filtration system for an aquarium inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention including aprotein skimmer, an overflow chamber, a gate chamber, a siphon chamber,and an catch basin;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the overflow chamber including anoverflow conduit;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gate chamber including a gateconduit;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the siphon chamber including a siphonconduit;

FIG. 5 a is a cross-sectional view of the gate chamber and the siphonconduit in a recharge cycle, in which the water levels in the gatechamber and the siphon chamber are rising;

FIG. 5 b is a cross-sectional view of the gate chamber and the siphonconduit with the water level reaching a crest of the siphon conduit andactivating the siphon;

FIG. 5 c is a cross-sectional view of the gate chamber and the siphonconduit with the siphon activated and the water levels lowering in adischarge cycle;

FIG. 5 d is a cross-sectional view of the gate chamber and the siphonconduit with the siphon deactivated after concluding the dischargecycle;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the filtration system installed abovethe aquarium, where a gravity-based replenishment modality is utilized;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the filtration system installed belowthe aquarium, where a sump pump-based replenishment modality isutilized;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the filtration system in accordance witha second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the filtration system in accordancewith a third embodiment of the present invention, including integratedsiphon conduit, gate conduit, and overflow conduit.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and thedetailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the presently preferredembodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the onlyform in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. Thedescription sets forth the functions of the invention in connection withthe illustrated embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that thesame or equivalent functions and may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope ofthe invention. It is further understood that the use of relational termssuch as first and second, top and bottom, and the like are used solelyto distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities.

FIG. 1 illustrates a filtration system 10 in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention. The filtration system 10 isutilized in conjunction with an aquarium 12 that is generally cuboid inshape and defines an interior that holds water 14. As will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the aquarium 12 neednot be limited to the cuboid configuration shown in FIG. 1, and may havea variety of shapes such as bowls, irregular polyhedra, and the like.The aquarium 12 may be constructed of glass, acrylic, or othertransparent material such that the interior is visible. A variety oforganisms such as fish 16 or aquatic plants 18 may be contained in andsupported by the aquarium 12. Additionally, other non-living structuressuch as a rock 20 and a gravel bed 22 may also be disposed in theaquarium 12. It is understood that the water 14 may be saltwater,freshwater, or brackish water, depending upon the species desired to bekept.

As indicated above in the background, the water 14 becomes contaminatedwith solid debris such as dirt and unconsumed food, as well as solubleorganic waste products, nitrogen waste, and the like. The water 14including such contaminants must be removed from the aquarium 12, whileclean water must be cycled back into the same. It is contemplated thatsuch contaminant removal process and water recycling is performed by thefiltration system 10. As utilized herein, the term unprocessed waterrefers to the water 14 that contains the aforementioned contaminants,while the term processed water refers to the water 14 that has had suchcontaminants removed by the filtration system 10.

The first step in the process, as indicated above, involves the removalof the unprocessed water 14 from the aquarium 12 by an electric pump 24.The pump 24 includes a partially submerged intake port 26, though whichthe water 14 is withdrawn. The pump 24 is also coupled to an outgoingconduit 28 that links the pump 24, and thus the aquarium 12, to thefiltration system 10. The intake port 26 is also referenced herein asthe aquarium outlet. As will be described in further detail below, theaquarium 12 is replenished with the processed water 14 conveyed from thefiltration system 10 via an incoming conduit 30. The incoming conduit 30defines a first conduit end 32 engaged to the aquarium 12, and a secondconduit end 34 engaged to the filtration system 10. The first incomingconduit end 32 is also referenced herein as the aquarium inlet. It isunderstood that the aquarium inlet feeds the processed water 14 from thefiltration system 10 back into the aquarium 12, while the aquariumoutlet withdraws the unprocessed water 14 from the aquarium, andtransports the same to the filtration system 10. Alternatively, as willbe described in further detail below, the water 14 may be transportedbetween the filtration system 10 and the aquarium 12 via gravity feed.

As indicated above, the outgoing conduit 28 is engaged to the filtrationsystem 10 for transporting the unprocessed water 14 from the aquarium.In further detail, as shown in the illustration of a first embodiment ofthe present invention in FIG. 1, the outgoing conduit 28 is engaged to aprotein skimmer 36. The protein skimmer 36 is generally defined by acolumn 38 segregated into a reaction chamber 40 and a collection chamber42 by a partition 44. Further, the column 38 is defined by a top end 46and an opposed bottom end 48. Generally, the collection chamber 42 isdisposed towards the top end 46, while the reaction chamber 40 isdisposed towards the bottom end 48. The column 38, particularly in theportion of the reaction chamber 40, defines a skimmer inlet 50 and askimmer outlet 52. The skimmer inlet 46 is mated to the outgoing conduit28, and the unprocessed water 14 from the aquarium 12 enters the proteinskimmer 36 therethrough. At the bottom end 48, an air stone 54 generatesbubbles 56 that travel up the reaction chamber 40 to the collectionchamber 42. The bubbles 56 become foam 58 in the collection chamber 42upon passing through an aperture 45 defined by the partition 44. Thefoam 58 is removed from the collection chamber 42 via a waste conduit60. It is understood that protein and other organic impurities dissolvedin the water 14 are attracted to the bubbles 56, and are removedtherefrom as the bubbles 56 enter into the collection chamber 42. Inorder to ensure proper removal of the bubbles 56 from the reactionchamber 40 to the collection chamber 42, the water level in the reactionchamber 40 preferably reaches the partition 44. In this regard, the pump24 is configured to supply a sufficient volume of water to the proteinskimmer 36 to maintain such appropriate level. Although the foregoingillustrates one type of protein skimmer using a particular type ofbubble-generating modality, it will be appreciated by those havingordinary skill in the art that any other type of protein skimmer and/orbubble-generation technique may be readily substituted.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water 14 istransported to an overflow chamber 62 via a first inter-chamber conduit64 after being processed by the protein skimmer 36. With reference toFIG. 2, the overflow chamber 62 is generally defined by a column 66having a closed top end 68 and an opposed closed bottom end 70. Thewater 14 from the protein skimmer 36 enters through an overflow chamberinlet 72, which is engaged to the first inter-chamber conduit 64. Theoverflow chamber inlet 72 may be partially covered with screen filter 73for preventing the passage of large particulate matter. An overflowconduit 74 extends into the overflow chamber 62, and defines an upperinlet 76 and a lower outlet 78. The upper inlet 76 is an interface tothe overflow chamber 62. In further detail with reference to FIG. 1, thelower outlet 78 is coterminous with a catch basin 80. Thus, the overflowchamber 62 is in indirect fluid communication with the catch basin 80via the overflow conduit 74. When the water level 75 in the overflowchamber 62 exceeds the height 77, the water 14 flows into the overflowconduit 74, and therefore into the catch basin 80.

The overflow chamber 62 is in fluid communication with the proteinskimmer 36, and thus the water level 75 in the overflow chamber 62 isessentially equivalent to the water level in the protein skimmer 36. Asindicated above, the pump 24 supplies a sufficient volume of the water14 to maintain a constant water level in the protein skimmer 36. Theoverflow chamber 62, via the overflow conduit 74, discharges any excesswater being pumped into the protein skimmer 36. The overflow conduit 74is positioned such that the upper inlet 76 is at essentially the sameheight as the aperture 45 in the protein skimmer 36. Therefore, bylimiting the height to which the water level 75 may rise within theoverflow chamber 62, the water level in the protein skimmer 75 islimited and the water 14 is prevented from overflowing into thecollection chamber 42. The volume of the water being circulated by thefiltration system 10 is also controlled by the height of the overflowconduit 74. Along these lines, the height 77 of the overflow conduit 74is contemplated as being adjustable. According to one embodiment of thepresent invention, the overflow conduit 74 is telescoping, that is,comprised of multiple segments 74 a, 74 b, 74 c, 74 d, each successivesegment being smaller in circumference than the previous segment andengaged thereto. Other adjustable-height overflow conduits 74 are alsocontemplated, such as those that can be twisted transversely in relationto the column 66, and the like, and any such variations are deemed to bewithin the scope of the present invention.

Though the overflow chamber 62 may be left empty as depicted in FIG. 1,it may include a variety of functional features as illustrated in FIG.2. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, theoverflow chamber 62 includes a filtration module 82 contained therein.It is contemplated that the filtration module 82 removes particulatematter in the water 14 flowing therethrough. It is also contemplatedthat the filtration module 82 is a chemical filter comprised ofactivated charcoal, wool fiber, and the like. The surface area providedby such materials provides a location to which chemical impurities inthe water 14 bind. Moreover, the overflow chamber 62 may contain abuffering module 84 for adjusting and stabilizing the pH level of thewater 14 flowing therethrough.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the water 14 in the overflow chamber 62exits through an overflow chamber outlet 73. The overflow chamber outlet73 is coupled to a second inter-chamber conduit 86. The secondinter-chamber conduit 66 is also coupled to a gate chamber 88, therebyfluidly linking the overflow chamber 62 to the gate chamber 88.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, the gate chamber 88 is defined bya cylindrical column 90 with a closed top end 92 and a closed bottom end94. The column 90 defines a gate chamber inlet 96 and a gate chamberoutlet 98 in proximity to the bottom end 94. The gate chamber inlet 96may be partially covered by a screen filter 97, which prevents thepassage of large particulate matter while allowing the passage of thewater 14. The gate chamber 88 also includes a gate conduit 100 thatdefines a gate conduit outlet 102. Along these lines, the gate chamberinlet 96 may also be referenced herein as the gate conduit inlet, as thesecond inter-chamber conduit 86 is coupled to the gate conduit 100. Itis understood that the gate conduit 100 is in fluid communication withthe overflow chamber 62 and the protein skimmer 36, and thus, with theintake port 26 of the aquarium 12.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the protein skimmer36, the overflow chamber 62, and the gate chamber 88 need not beconnected sequentially as described above. Both the protein skimmer 36and the overflow chamber 62 may be directly connected to the gatechamber 88. Indeed, it is understood that the protein skimmer 36 and theoverflow chamber 62 are optional, and the functionality of suchcomponents may be provided by devices exterior to that of the filtrationsystem 10. In such embodiments, the gate chamber inlet 96 is understoodto be coupled to the aquarium outlet.

The gate conduit 100 defines a horizontal section 104 and a verticalsection 106 perpendicularly oriented relative to the horizontal section104. As mentioned above, the gate chamber inlet 96/gate conduit inlet isdisposed in proximity to the bottom end 94. Therefore, the horizontalsection 104 of the gate conduit 100 is similar disposed in proximity tothe bottom end 94. The gate conduit outlet 102, on the other hand, isdisposed within the gate chamber 88 in proximity to the top end 92. Moreparticularly, the vertical section 106 of the gate conduit 100 extendstowards the top end 92 to a predetermined height 108 relative to thecolumn 90.

It is understood that the water 14 from the overflow chamber 62 issteadily discharged into the gate chamber 88 via the gate conduit 100.In order for the water 14 to reach the gate conduit outlet 102, thewater level 75 in the overflow chamber 62, and thus the protein skimmer36, is preferably maintained at a height higher than the predeterminedheight 108. The water 14 collects within the gate chamber 88, and has avarying water level 110. It is contemplated that the gate conduit 100 isalso adjustable like the overflow conduit 74, and may likewise becomprised of multiple segments 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, with eachsuccessive segment being smaller in circumference than the previoussegment and engaged thereto. Additionally, like its counterpart, thereare alternative configurations contemplated for the overflow conduit 100such as those pivotable about the axis of the horizontal section 104. Aswill be described in further detail below, the height 108 of theoverflow conduit controls the timing and flow of the water 14 beingcycled through the filtration system 10.

The water 14 discharged through the gate conduit outlet 102 collectswithin the gate chamber 88. As mentioned above, the rate of dischargeinto the gate chamber 88 is substantially constant, though as will bedescribed in further detail below, water level 110 is variable. Thewater 14 in the gate chamber 88 comes into contact with a plurality ofbio-media elements 112 disposed therein. It will be understood by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art that the bio-media elements 112 may bebio-balls, which include numerous perforations 114 upon whichbeneficial, nitrifying bacteria may grow. As indicated above in thebackground, these nitrifying bacteria include the Nitrosomonas bacteria,which metabolize the ammonia present in the water 14 into nitrite, aswell as the Nitrospira bacteria, which convert the nitrite to nitrate.It is understood that as the water 14 trickles through the perforations114, the bacteria concurrently contact the air and the water 14 for theaforementioned ammonia decomposition to occur, since the bacteria areaerobic, that is, requires oxygen to function. Essentially, the gatechamber 88 serves as a wet/dry filter. The processed water 14 exits thegate chamber 88 via the gate chamber outlet 98, which is engaged to athird inter-chamber conduit 116.

With reference to FIG. 4, upon exiting the gate chamber 88, the water 14is drawn into a siphon chamber 118. The siphon chamber 118 is likewisedefined by a cylindrical column 120 having a closed top end 122 and aclosed bottom end 124. The column 118 defines a siphon chamber inlet126, to which the third inter-chamber conduit 116 is connected. Thesiphon chamber inlet 126 is provided with a screen filter 127 to preventthe passage of large particulate matter. Generally, as shown in FIG. 1,the gate chamber 88 is fluidly coupled to the siphon chamber 118. Thesiphon chamber 118 has inserted therein a siphon conduit 128 defines asiphon conduit inlet 130 at a first elevation 132 within the siphonchamber 118. The siphon conduit 128 further defines a siphon conduitoutlet 134 at a second elevation 136 below the first elevation 132, anda crest 138 at a third elevation 140 above the first elevation 132 andthe second elevation 136. Referring to FIG. 1, the siphon conduit 128 isin communication with the catch basin 80, and the processed water 14accumulating in the siphon chamber 118 is collected in the catch basin80 for recirculation back to the aquarium 12. In this regard, the siphonconduit outlet 136 may be either coterminous with or extended into thecatch basin 80.

As indicated above, the siphon chamber 118 is in fluid communicationwith the gate chamber 88, and so the water level 110 in the gate chamber88 is substantially equivalent to water level 142 in the siphon chamber118. Thus, it is to be understood that when referring to a change in thewater level 110 in the gate chamber 88, a change in the water level 142in the siphon chamber 118 is also implied. With further reference to thecombined illustration of the gate chamber 88 and the siphon chamber 118as shown in FIG. 5 a-5 d, and now particularly to FIG. 5 a, thefiltration system 10 is in a recharge cycle. The water level 142 in thesiphon chamber 118 is lower than the third elevation 140, but it isrising as the water 14 is discharged into the gate chamber 88 via thegate conduit 100. As the water level 142 in the siphon chamber 118increases, the siphon conduit 128 accordingly fills with water throughthe siphon conduit inlet 130. Essentially, the siphon is being primed.

Referring to FIG. 5 b, when the water level 142 in the siphon chamber118 exceeds the third elevation 140, the siphon is activated, and thedischarge cycle initiates. The water 14 begins flowing through thesiphon conduit inlet 130, up through the crest 138, and down to thesiphon conduit outlet 134. The water 14 discharges in the catch basin80. As will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, thehydrostatic force of the water 14 pulls the water 14 up to the crest138, and flows down the siphon conduit 128 by gravitational force.

As shown in FIG. 5 c, the water level 142 in the siphon chamber 118continues to decrease during the depicted discharge cycle, as the siphonremains active. The water 14 in the siphon chamber 118 continues to bedrawn out through the siphon conduit 128 and into the catch basin 80.With reference to FIG. 5 d, the siphon deactivates when the water level142 is below the first elevation 132, and does not re-initiate until thesiphon conduit 128 is re-primed, that is, until the water level 142again reaches the third elevation 140. Because the water 14 is no longerbeing discharged, the water 14 flowing through the gate conduit 100 andinto the gate chamber 88 can accumulate therein.

Preferably, the volume of water being discharged into the gate chamber88 via the gate conduit 100 is less than the volume of water beingdischarged through the siphon conduit 128. This way, the above-describedcyclical discharging/recharging sequence may be maintained. It iscontemplated that the diameter of the siphon conduit 128 and the gateconduit 100 may be modified to adjust the volume and flow rate of waterduring the recharge cycle and the discharge cycle, respectively.Additionally, the size of the gate chamber 88 and the siphon chamber 118may likewise be adjusted. With reference to FIG. 3, further adjustmentto the recharge and discharge times may be provided by a first one-wayvalve 144 disposed on the top end 92 of the gate chamber 88, and asecond one-way valve 146 disposed on the top end 122 of the siphonchamber 118. The adjustable one-way valves 144, 146 may be opened orclosed to create negative or positive pressure during discharge andrecharge cycles.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is envisioned thatby mimicking natural tidal patterns, an environment closelyapproximating the same may be created in the aquarium 12, including thevarious strata of bacteria. As indicated above in the background, thereare some varieties of bacteria that are better suited for a submergedenvironment, while others are not. In the natural environment, bacteriaof all types thrive because of the tidal surges; the bacteria that arebetter suited for a submerged environment develop in deeper areas thatare more frequently underwater, while those that are not develop inshallow areas that are less frequently underwater and drier. Based onthe foregoing description of the gate chamber 88, the siphon chamber118, and the functions provided thereby, it will be recognized that thegate chamber 88 mimics the natural tidal environment, with the bio-mediaelements 112 disposed towards the bottom end 94 being more accommodatingfor those bacteria suited for submerged environments, while thebio-media elements 112 disposed toward the top end 92 being moreaccommodating for those bacteria suited for drier environments. It isunderstood that the bottom end 94 is submerged under the water 14 for agreater period of time than the top end 92, considering that once thewater level slowly reaches the third elevation 140, the siphon isactivated and immediately begins draining the siphon chamber 118 and thegate chamber 88.

With reference to FIG. 1, after the processed water 14 is dischargedinto the catch basin 80, a sump pump 148 re-circulates the same back tothe aquarium 12 via the incoming conduit 30. Prior to recirculation, thewater 14 may be processed again with a second filtration medium orsecond buffer medium disposed in the catch basin 80. It is contemplatedthat the sump pump 148 maintains a constant flow of processed water backto the aquarium 12, as unprocessed water is extracted from the same andconveyed to the filtration system 10. In one embodiment, the flow volumeof the sump pump 148 determines the cycle rate of the filtration system10. The sump pump 148 slightly raises the water level in the aquarium12, upon which the water 14 overflows into the outgoing conduit 28 andis conveyed to the protein skimmer 36. Accordingly, the water level onthe aquarium 12 remains essentially unchanged, that is, it does not riseand fall more than 1% of the height of the rise and fall in water levelof the siphon chamber 118. Other tolerances are also contemplated,however, and may be as low as 0.1%, up to 5% or more, depending uponmodifications that are within the capabilities of one having ordinaryskill in the art.

A number of different configuration variations are contemplated withrespect to the positioning of the filtration system 10 and the need forthe sump pump 148. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the catch basin80, as well as the remainder of the filtration system 10, is disposedabove the aquarium 12. The pump 24 circulate the unprocessed water 14from the aquarium 12 and to the filtration system 10 as described above,while the processed water 14 in the catch basin 80 is transported backto the aquarium 12 by gravitational force via an inlet 150.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the catch basin 80 is disposed underthe aquarium 12, and the unprocessed water 14 is transported to thefiltration system via gravitational force, preferably by a siphonconduit 152. The processed water 14 stored in the catch basin 80 ispumped back to the aquarium 12 via the sump pump 148 over the incomingconduit 30. Furthermore, the filtration system 10 may be attached to aback side of the aquarium 12. In such a configuration, it is understoodthat the pump 24 provides sufficient motive force to transport theunprocessed water 14 to the filtration system 10, and the sump pump 148provides sufficient motive force to transport the processed water 12back to the aquarium 12, where gravitational force is otherwiseinadequate. Prior to being transferred back to the aquarium 12, theremay be additional filtering mechanisms that further process the water14.

Although the filtration system 10 has been illustrated and described interms of discrete columns comprising the protein skimmer 36, theoverflow chamber 62, the gate chamber 88, and the siphon chamber 118,alternative arrangements thereof are also contemplated and deemed to bewithin the scope of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 9, thefiltration system 10 is a unitary structure or tank 154 with segregatedcompartments corresponding to the above-described protein skimmer 36,the overflow chamber 62, the gate chamber 88, and the siphon chamber118. Generally, the tank 154 is defined by a front wall 156, a left sidewall 158, a right side wall 160, and a back wall 162. The catch basin 80is segregated from the rest of the tank 154 with a horizontal divider164, which defines a siphon hole 165. The siphon conduit 128 is linkedto the siphon hole 165 and thus the catch basin 80, as indicated above.A first vertical divider 166 segregates the siphon chamber 118 and thegate chamber 88, and defines a plurality of connecting holes 168. Theconnecting holes 168 fluidly links the gate chamber 88 to the siphonchamber 118 as described above. A second vertical divider 170 segregatesthe gate chamber 88 from the overflow chamber 62 and the protein skimmer36, and a third vertical divider 172 segregates the protein skimmer 36from the overflow chamber 62. The gate conduit 100 extends into the gatechamber 88 and attaches to the second vertical divider 170. The secondvertical divider 170 defines a gate pipe hole 174 in fluid communicationwith the gate conduit, and also defines a overflow linkage hole 178 thatlinks the gate chamber 88 to the overflow chamber 62. As in theabove-described embodiment of the overflow chamber 62, the overflowconduit 74 is fluidly coupled to the catch basin 80. The horizontaldivider 164 defines an overflow hole 176, to which the overflow conduit74 is linked.

Other variations in the configuration of the filtration system are alsocontemplated. For example, multiple siphon conduits 128 may be providedto increase the volume of the water 14 being cycled through the siphonchamber 118, or to increase the discharge rate. Additionally, the gatechamber 88 and the siphon chamber 118 may be integrated, or there may bemultiple gate chambers 88.

As best illustrated in FIG. 9, it is contemplated that the overflowconduit 74, the gate conduit 100, and the siphon conduit 128 may beincorporated within a single chamber 180, with each functioning asdescribed above. The gate conduit 100 receives the water 14 from theaquarium 12, and continues to fill the chamber 180 until the water levelreaches the crest 138 of the gate siphon conduit 128. Thereafter, asexplained above, the water 14 in the chamber 180 is discharged. In casethe rate of discharge via the siphon conduit 128 is slower than the rateat which the water 14 flows into the chamber 180 via the gate conduit100, the overflow conduit 74 acts as a drain to remove any excess andprevent overfill. According to one embodiment, the gate conduit outlet102 is positioned above the crest 138.

As indicated above, each of the respective chambers may be variouslysized and shaped for accommodating a wide range of aquarium sizes. Everysuch variation is deemed to be within the scope of the presentinvention. It is also contemplated that the filtration system 10 beconstructed of any water-resistant material such as plastic, glass, oracrylic, like the aquarium 12 with which it is associated.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention onlyand are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be themost useful and readily understood description of the principles andconceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attemptis made to show structural details of the present invention in moredetail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of thepresent invention, the description taken with the drawings makingapparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of thepresent invention may be embodied in practice.

1. A siphon system for processing fluid of a primary tank comprising: asiphon chamber including a siphon chamber inlet for receiving incomingfluid; processing media disposed in the siphon chamber; a siphon conduitincluding a siphon inlet at a first elevation within the siphon chamber,a siphon outlet at a second elevation below the first elevation, and acrest at a third elevation above the first elevation; and a gate conduitdisposed within the siphon chamber for introducing the fluid into thesiphon chamber; wherein the fluid level in the siphon chamber iscyclically raised and lowered over the processing media through thesiphon conduit, the fluid level in the primary tank remainingsubstantially constant across the fluid level changes in the siphonchamber.
 2. The siphon system of claim 1, wherein the level of fluid inthe primary tank changes no greater than 5% relative to the change ofthe fluid level in the siphon chamber.
 3. The siphon system of claim 1,wherein: the fluid in the siphon chamber is discharged therefrom uponthe fluid level in the siphon conduit surpassing the third elevation;and the fluid in the siphon chamber stops discharging therefrom upon thefluid level in the siphon conduit reaching a level lower than the firstelevation.
 4. The siphon system of claim 1, further comprising: anoverflow conduit disposed within the siphon chamber defining an outletat a fourth elevation relative to the siphon chamber.
 5. The siphonsystem of claim 1, wherein the processing media is a filtration mediafor removing contaminants from the fluid.
 6. The siphon system of claim1, wherein the processing media is a buffering media.
 7. The siphonsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a protein skimmer for removingorganic contaminants in the unprocessed water, the protein skimmer beingin fluid communication with the primary tank and the siphon chamber. 8.The siphon system of claim 1, further comprising: a screen filtercovering the siphon chamber inlet for preventing the passage ofparticulate matter into the siphon chamber.
 9. The siphon system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a catch basin in fluid communication withthe siphon conduit and the primary tank.
 10. The siphon system of claim9, further comprising a second filtration media disposed in the catchbasin.
 11. The siphon system of claim 9, further comprising a secondbuffering media disposed in the catch basin.
 12. The siphon system ofclaim 9, further comprising: an overflow chamber defining an overflowchamber inlet and an overflow chamber outlet; and an overflow conduitextending into the overflow chamber and in fluid communication with thecatch basin.
 13. The siphon system of claim 1, further comprising: agate chamber; wherein the gate conduit defines a gate conduit outletpositioned within the gate chamber and a gate conduit inlet in fluidcommunication with the primary tank; wherein the fluid level in the gatechamber is substantially equivalent to the fluid level within the siphonchamber.
 14. The siphon system of claim 13, further comprising: anoverflow conduit disposed within the gate chamber and defining an outletat a fourth elevation relative to the gate chamber, the fluid in thegate chamber being discharged through the overflow conduit upon thefluid level in the gate chamber reaching the fourth elevation.